Evaluate $\lim_{x\rightarrow \infty}(1+\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}})^{\sqrt{x}}$. Euler's Limit

Evaluate $\lim\limits_{x\rightarrow \infty}(1+\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}})^{\sqrt{x}}$.

Can I get some help? I am thinking that the limit does not exist. If you approach it from the left and then from the right, I think that the limits do not equal each other. I also suspect that we are dealing with Euler's limit, i.e.

The limits $\lim\limits_{x\rightarrow \infty +} (1+\frac{1}{x})^x$ and $\lim\limits_{x\rightarrow \infty -} (1+\frac{1}{x})^x$ exist and both equal $e$

Otherwise, I have little intuition to go from.

• I edited that out, assuming it was a mistake. Apologies OP if that is incorrect. – James Apr 21 '15 at 14:26
• $\sqrt{x}$ does not exist when $x<0$ and $+\infty$ can be approached only from the left. – Jack D'Aurizio Apr 21 '15 at 14:27
• What does $\infty+$ and $\infty-$ mean? Do you mean $+\infty, -\infty$? – GFauxPas Apr 21 '15 at 14:29
• Note that in real analysis $\infty$ is not a real point. We merely use the notation $lim_{x \to \infty} f(x) = L$ to mean $\forall \epsilon > 0 \exists M \in \mathbb{R}: \forall x \in \mathbb{R}\ x > M \implies | f(x) - L | < \epsilon$. This differs from the usual limit in that, instead of getting closer and closer to some value $L$ as we approach a point $a$, we now get closer and closer to some value $L$ as we make $x$ bigger and bigger. Consequently left- and right-limits do not exist for $\infty$. – Eric Spreen Apr 21 '15 at 14:38
• In many books (imo, in most of them), writing the limit when $\;x\to\infty\;$ means $\;x\;$ approaches plus infinity , and there's only one way to approach this: from the left. For minus infinity we write $\;x\to -\infty\;$ – Timbuc Apr 21 '15 at 14:39

When $\;x\to\infty\;$ we can assume $\;x>0\;$ when doing the limit, so now simply make a substitution:

$$x\leftrightarrow y^2\;\implies\;\;x\to\infty\iff y\to\infty$$

$$\lim_{y\to\infty}\left(1+\frac1y\right)^y=e$$
For negative $\;x$'s $\;\sqrt x\;$ isn't defined and thus also the limit of your expression isn't when $\;x\to -\infty\;$